Opinion: Baba Odinga cannot con the ODM to be the opposition now…

“I want to be on record. There is no such alliance, as ODM has not entered into any political coalition with President William Ruto’s government” (…)  “ODM remains firmly in its position as an opposition party and within Azimio. We are not in coalition with Kenya Kwanza” (…) “They asked for experts from ODM to help them in certain areas. We released them, but that does not mean we joined the Kenya Kwanza government” – Raila Odinga (13.10.2024).

There are certainly someone who wants to brand themselves opposition at any time. That being the political leader and maverick, Raila Odinga. He wants to be seen as an opposition leader and a politician as such. Even if he is a wheeler-dealer who successfully make agreements and handshakes with the government when it fits him. Therefore, the story is a reflection of how he is.

Raila Odinga and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is now connected, a part of and has to acknowledge who they are now. They have maybe no direct agreement or a sort of memorandum of understanding between the Kenya Kwanza Alliance and the ODM. However, there are Ministers and former high-ranking officials of the party, which is now in government.

That means the ODM is in Government by definition. The ODM and their leaders are a part of government. They aren’t in opposition but serving in ministries. They are not outsiders and are playing a part in the “broad-based” government of President William Ruto. That is giving leverage and giving political mileage to Odinga.

An Odinga who needs the state support for his case and his petition to become the Chairperson of the African Union. That’s what matters to him at this point. This is why he will be vocal and defend the government itself. It don’t matter how and what, but he will be behind the skirt of Ruto. That’s what he does and he has the motivation to do so.

This is why it is a foolery to say your opposition now. Yes, the man isn’t directly in government, and neither is the whole party a part of the government. However, so many vital people have become ministers and himself is now defending Ruto. So, they aren’t a practical opposition party. They are connected to it and is a part of the government by default now.

In 2024 the ODM is the government and so is Odinga. His not an outsider, but one of them. That’s because of the choices his leaders has chosen and what the party has accepted by doing so. They are now a part of the government. This party isn’t an pure opposition party. That’s a story they cannot sell…

No one is buying it. We are seeing it in front of our eyes. Just like the BBI made him semi-autonomous and connected to the government of Jubilee too. Therefore, we shouldn’t buy this now. It is the same trick, but with another sort of arrangement. All to benefit Odinga and his political party, the ODM. Peace.

Kenya: Office of the Speaker of the Senate – Travel Restriction on all Senators and Staff of the Senate (08.10.2024)

Kenya: Thirteenth Parliament (Third Session) – The Senate – Message from the National Assembly – Approval of Special Motion of the Removal from Office, by Impeachment, of H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, EGH, The Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya (09.10.2024)

 

Kenya: Hon. Japheth Mokaya Nyakundi, MP letter to Hon. Amos Mwago Maina, MP – “Re: Resignation of Speaker of the National Assembly” (02.10.2024)

Kenya: United Democratic Alliance (UDA) – Bid to Extend Presidential Term Limit: Repugnant, Retrogressive and Primitive (02.10.2024)

Kenya: Sen. Daniel Maanzo EBS, MP – Notice of Motion on the Conduct of H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, CGH., President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-In-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (01.10.2024)

Opinion: Riggy G is the perfect fall-guy…

“There’s no point in impeaching a pickpocket and leaving a robber” – Senator Okiya Omtatah (25.09.2024).

“Riggy G to be shown the door. More than 116 MPs have signed the impeachment petition to impeach DP Rigathi Gachagua. Sources say that, the Impeachment motion is set to be tabled for debate anytime” (Record TV Kenya, 26.09.2024).

There is nothing new under the sun. Today is a day of remorse or vengeance. It depends on which side you are on. The Deputy President can threaten the Members of Parliament, heck he can sprinkle spite in the way of the President. However, it won’t amount to much.

The DP is reflective of the reign of the President. They had a joint ticket into the polls and ran together as allies. If things has changed and swiftly so. It’s because of politicking and a way of trying to sway influence. That’s not new either…

President William Ruto knows how it is to be left alone and felt abandoned, even when he was part of the team and got re-elected on the second term of Uhuru Kenyatta. He knows this and that’s why he built UDA in the middle of the term. Just so he could be stronger in the up-coming elections and create his own coalition to succeed.

Now the DP is feeling the pinch. His in the wind and there is several of reasons, speculations or sudden reactions to do so. Nevertheless, this is to scapegoat and make someone the perfect victim.

He says this about the matter: “The use of the criminal justice system to manage politics is an outdated political strategy that was used in the past. President William Ruto and I, on assuming Office, gave an undertaking to the People of Kenya that never again shall the criminal justice system be called upon to help in the management of politics. I am embarrassed that we are back to where we were. Harassment of my Office staff and Members of Parliament perceived to be close to me, has been going on for the last two months. I have learnt of a scheme to prefer trumped-up charges against three members of my staff and the MPs for Embakasi North Hon James Gakuya and Embakasi Central Hon Benjamin Gathiru Mejja Donk. This evil scheme is to associate them with violent demonstrations that took place in late June, in a futile attempt to soil my name and hopefully create grounds for the mooted impeachment proceedings against me” (Rigathi Gachagua, 25.09.2024).

We know that the DP can speak and speaks sometimes out of term. However, that isn’t anything new and similar instances has happened with others. Heck, the current President has done so dozens of times and it became sort of his stick. Therefore, he should know why the DP does and his a loyal ally too. If he wasn’t a loyal stooge, Ruto wouldn’t have picked him as the DP in the first place.

That’s why this is done to clean the house, but not really do it. Just finding the victim and using Riggy G’s fall to look better. That’s the gist here. It doesn’t change the realities on the ground or how the government is operating. Alas, that is the main issue. The main culprit is on top and his is trying to skate away from it all.

While Riggy G is the one that must take the blunt force and go away. Meanwhile, the laurels and the power remain in the hand of Ruto. That’s the reality here and we can all see it coming. Peace.

Kenya: Sen. Danson Mungatana – Notice of Motion on the Conduct of the H.E. Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, E.G.H., the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya (23.09.2024)

Kenya: Defenders Coalition – Statement on the Withdrawal of Security Detail of Hon. Justice Lawrence Mugambi (16.09.2024)

Kenya: Jimi Wanjigi – Crooked William Ruti is Fully Responsible for Illegal Abductions (03.09.2024)